Meanwhile, the Pro Life Campaign held small rallies in Dublin and at several other locations across the country calling for the retention of the Eighth Amendment.

Organisers of the March for Choice said today's turn-out was the biggest since the marches began five years ago.

The Abortion Rights Campaign, which organised the rally, estimated the turnout to have been 40,000.

The demonstrators gathered at Parnell Square from lunchtime before making their way down O'Connell Street towards Merrion Square.

Speakers then addressed the crowds at Merrion Square.

A pro-choice rally was also staged outside the Irish Embassy in London today, with campaigners highlighting the numbers of Irish women who have travelled to Britain for an abortion in the last three decades.

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